English Vocab Ethos Pathos Logos

Rhetoric

The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially through the use of language, rhetorical devices, and other techniques

Central Claim

The primary or main argument of the author in a persuasive text

Evidence

The facts, statistics, examples, quotations, or personal observations provided in a text that support an author's central claim

Reasoning

The analysis that explains how and why the evidence supports the central claim and/or sub-claims

Occasion

An issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to speak or write

Diction

The author's choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing

Denotation

The literal or direct meaning of a word; the dictionary definition of word

Connotation

A suggested or implied meaning of a word; the feelings/emotions, ideas, or associations connected to a word

Concrete Language

Language that is precise, specific, and used to refer to things we know through our senses of sight, sound, touch, smell and taste

Figurative Language

Language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation

Colloquial Language

Language that is informal, "folksy," or that which would be used by ordinary people in casual conversation

Allusion

A reference in a piece of writing to a well-known mythological, literary, historical, religious, biblical, etc. person, place, or thing

Anecdote

A short scenario or a short story taken from personal experience used to illustrate a point or set the stage for a piece of writing

Analogy

An extended comparison that can be valuable in helping a speaker/writer clarify a difficult point or dramatize an abstract idea

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements used to emphasize a particular point or idea in a text

Repetition

Purposeful, deliberate repeating of words or phrases. Often used by speakers & writers to emphasize a point and achieve a touch of stylistic power

Parallel Structure

When similar words or ideas are phrased in a similar structure to emphasize the connection between them

Tone

The author's/speaker's attitude toward a subject or the audience

Logos

reason and logic

Ethos

credibility

Pathos

emotion